An Ofsted inspection will go ahead at a school despite the headteacher saying she was “taking the stand” and would refuse inspectors in solidarity with Ruth Perry.
Flora Cooper, executive headteacher of the John Rankin Schools, in Newbury, Berkshire, took to Twitter to announce her plans to boycott Ofsted.
She posted on Monday: “We have to do this! I’m taking the stand!”
Ms Perry, who was head at Caversham Primary School in Reading, killed herself in January while waiting for an Ofsted report which gave her school the lowest possible rating, her family said.
Professor Julia Waters, Ms Perry’s sister, said the education watchdog’s report was “deeply harmful” in its “implied focus on one individual”.
On Monday morning, Ms Cooper had called on people to support her at the school on Tuesday morning when inspectors were due to arrive.
But hours later, the headteacher asked people not to come to her school.
A spokesperson for West Berkshire Council said on Tuesday morning: “An Ofsted inspection at John Rankin School will now go ahead today following discussions between the parties involved yesterday afternoon.
“We understand that the inspection process can be a busy and stressful time for teachers, governors and school staff.
“As a council, we work closely with all of our schools to support them through the inspection process and address any individual concerns.”
She was absolutely brilliant and the pressure and the stress that she was under was immense— Liz, a former primary school teacher
Two former teachers stood in protest outside John Rankin Infant School on Tuesday morning following the death of Ms Perry.
Liz, a former primary school teacher who was mentored by Ms Perry when the school went into special measures, said: “It is just unimaginable.
“There is not a day where I don’t think about Ruth and the loss not only obviously to her family but the entire teaching community.
“She didn’t just care and dedicate herself to her school and her pupils, she was also a huge support for schools in the Reading area and beyond.
“She was absolutely brilliant and the pressure and the stress that she was under was immense.”
